Benitez suggests two January signings have proven one thing about Newcastle’s recruitment

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Newcastle United brought in Martin Dubravka and Kenedy in January.

Newcastle United boss Rafael Benitez has told The Chronicle that he thinks the performances of Martin Dubravka and Kenedy have proven that the club’s scouting department is excelling.

The Magpies needed January signings to boost their hopes of Premier League survival, and fans were left somewhat frustrated with a lack of movement in the early stages of the transfer window.

However, Newcastle did tie up three deals by the end of the month, as Chelsea winger Kenedy signed on loan until the end of the season, before Martin Dubravka and Islam Slimani arrived in similar deals from Sparta Prague and Leicester City respectively.

Whilst Slimani’s loan move has been a disappointment so far, given that the Algerian has been missing through injury throughout his time at St James’ Park, Dubravka and Kenedy have made a major impact.

Goalkeeper Dubravka has immediately supplanted Karl Darlow and Rob Elliot as Newcastle’s first choice, and has kept two clean sheets in his four Premier League appearances so far.

Meanwhile, winger Kenedy has impressed out on the left flank for Benitez’s side, and scored twice in Newcastle’s 3-0 win over Southampton last weekend in a superb display.

Newcastle may now hope to land both players on permanent deals this summer, and manager Benitez has hailed the duo – and the club’s scouting department.

Benitez has told The Chronicle that he thinks Dubravka and Kenedy have proven how successful the club’s scouting department is, and whilst everybody will make mistakes at some point, he is delighted with his January additions.

“Both Dubravka and Kenedy have proven one thing: that the scouting department is working hard and well,” Benitez said. “We are monitoring some players, and sometimes you get it wrong because everybody makes mistakes, but both players have made a big difference. The keeper is giving confidence to the defenders and Kenedy’s delivery and passes are also giving confidence to the offensive players,” he added.